Integrating Employment and Skills Conference 2010

4th March 2010

QEII Conference Centre, London

In 2006, Lord Leitch released his review of long term skills needs in England, it marked the start of the journey for the UK to become a world leader in skills by 2020. His ambitious goals would see 95% of working age adults possess functional literacy and numeracy skills, 90% of adults skilled to GCSE or an equivalent vocational level, the creation of over half a million apprenticeships in the UK and the number of graduates rising to 40% of all adults by 2020.

Since 2006, the government has acted on delivering Lord Leitch’s recommendations. The inaugural Integrating Employment and Skills Conference 2010 on March 4 at the QEII Conference Centre, London will provide you with the perfect opportunity to review the progresses made in these areas.

We look forward to hearing from Chris Humphries CBE, Chief Executive, UK Commission for Employment and Skills who will be speaking about the ‘Ambition 2020’ report, how the UK are addressing the skills gap and the key role of local authorities to upskill the nation by 2020.

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive, National Apprenticeships Service will also be on hand at this conference to discuss the impact his organisation have had in integrating employment and skills through vocational training across the country – whilst also addressing the challenges of increasing participation in apprenticeships.

Other speakers include:

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Invited)
Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Invited)
David Willets MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation and Skills (Confirmed)
Susan Anderson, Director of Public Services and Skills, Confederation of British Industry (Confirmed)
Lord Archy Kirkwood, Former Chair, Work and Pensions Select Committee (Confirmed)
Olly Newton, NEET Policy Manager, Participation and Progression, Department for Children, Schools and Families (Confirmed)
Ali Kadawi, Principal, Southend Adult Community College (Invited)
Cllr Ron Round, Leader Knowsley MBC & Chair, Liverpool City Region Cabinet (Invited)

To view the full conference programme click here